A retrospective analysis of 86 newborns with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of neonates with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) according to Berlin definition. Methods A retrospective study was carried to analyze the clinical features about diagnosis, treatment, chest X-ray findings, mortality, complications and ventilator parameters in 86 neonates with severe ARDS admitted in the NICU from January 2005 to December 2013. Results (1) Among the 86 cases, 55 were cured, and 31 died with 36.0% mortality. (2) Chest X-ray showed there was decreased lucency of bilateral lungs with ground-glass appearance, lung texture with thick chaos or dot flakes or patchy shadows in 36 neonates; diffuse infiltrates and extensive confluent consolidation shadows in bilateral lungs along with peripheral air brornchograms in 26 cases; heart shadow and diaphragmatic surface disappeared like awhite lungchange in 24 cases. (3) Persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn as a complication occurred in 68 cases with 79.1% incidence. (4) Eighty-six cases were categorized into survival group and death group. The results showed compared with the survival group, the neonates in death group required higher FiO2, and PaO2, and lower PaO2/FiO2 before mechanical ventilation (P <0.01) , but needed higher initial PIP of mechanical ventilation (P < 0.01). Conclusions Neonatal ARDS is still a kind of critical condition with high mortality and lack of evidence-based diagnostic criteria so far. The therapeutic strategy for neonatal ARDS should be a comprehensive measures in addition to appropriate respiratory support. Key words: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Diagnosis; Treatment; Neonate; Retrospective analysis